St. John's, Antigua - Software developer SlySoft has begun selling a $79 program that can be used by average consumers to copy movies and other programming on next-generation HD DVD discs.

The AnyDVD HD application cracks the AACS (Advanced Access Content System) encryption used on Toshiba's HD DVD discs.

The same security is used on Sony's rival Blu-ray Disc format, and SlySoft added that it plans to release a beta version of software that can be used to copy Blu-ray discs yet this quarter.

"Officially, the film industry and the AACS consortium is, of course, not very happy about this development," SlySoft said in a press release.

"However, behind closed doors, they are likely pleased to have learned from past experiences with the CD and DVD that the users are now finally able to make unlimited use of this new medium HD DVD, i.e to enjoy his 'fair-use rights'."

The company is based in the island nation Antigua -- which has also been used as a haven for offshore Internet gambling firms -- and believes it is immune from foreign copyright laws.

Related Links:
http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?p=11179#post11179

http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=606 http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/02/the_interesting.html

http://www.aacsla.com